Quarry closes in dispute

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Thank you Mountain Democrat for having the courage to print the March 22 story. Special thanks to Dawn Hodson for writing both sides of the issues and reporting accurately.

Air Quality Management District Mr. Johnston’s statement about how his department is funded, by permit fees, explains a lot. In order for his department to exist, they must collect fees and fines. How does paying a fee or fine do anything, except fund the department? The definition of a permit or license is “permission to do something that is otherwise illegal.” So, pay the money and it’s alright. They are not saying “don’t pollute.” It’s alright if you pay license fees and permit fees, plus $60/per ton of emissions. These self-feeding, self-funding agencies need to be stopped.

The people have been duped. These agencies are not about saving the planet. To save the air, they take tractors and trucks away from honest citizens who are trying to support their families, while their own bureaucrats fly off in the publically-funded, air-polluting jets. That equipment is sold or moved to another state or country. How does that save the planet? Last time I checked, it is all the same planet with only one atmosphere. I am not against better technology or clean air and water. Tractors and equipment wear out. It will be replaced if there are still any companies left in business to buy them.

Not everyone can work for the government. We need private enterprise to create real jobs and pay fair taxes, to pay for the necessary services we desire like police, fire, etc. This country was founded on personal freedom and responsibility and became the richest, most powerful country in the history of the world by free enterprise and limited government. The greatest regulator is the free market. It plays no favorite and it reacts instantly.

Government jobs are a net loss. They are paid for by productive, hardworking people, known as the taxpayers. Government is a service, paid for by the people. It was never intended to be self-funding, that is a conflict of interest. We the people choose the services we deem necessary and pay for them with appropriate taxes and fees. Anyone who believes the government can provide all the jobs, housing, food and enterprise should wake up. Read history or move to a communist country and see how it works for them. It has never succeeded in the history of the world, with the exception of the very few at the top, in the royal palace telling the rest of the serfs what to eat, where to work and how to live. Wake up America!